The fight against fraud and corruption was put on top of the agenda at the beginning of this term of office in 2009. That’s according to KwaZulu-Natal province Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize who was speaking during the presentation of the Budget Speech for the Office of the Premier in the KZN Legislature today.
“The Integrity Management Unit in the Office of the Premier works closely with the Internal Audit Services in the Provincial Treasury to monitor fraud and corruption.”
“To date 172 investigation requests, involving R1.6-billion have been received from a wide range of sources, including government departments, municipalities and whistle-blowers.”
“Out of the total number of investigation requests, 91 are still in progress. Of the 81 forensic investigations that the Province has finalised, 48 were referred to the police and the prosecutorial authorities for investigation. Of the 48, seven did not proceed as a consequence of various factors, including the death of the suspects and insufficient evidence. The remaining 41 are in progress.”
“During the period April 2011 to March 2012 the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government fraud summary indicated that 594 dockets were received by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Commercial Crimes Unit. The total actual value of money defrauded after convictions was R28 745 441.”
“Of the 529 convictions, those found guilty were sentenced to a total 113 years imprisonment without options and 466 years imprisonment with options. If you contrast these figures to the period April 2012 to March 2013, the SAPS Commercial Crimes Unit received 433 fraud dockets. The total actual value of money defrauded after convictions was R24 629 079. Of the 433 cases received, 431 people were convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.”
“The Provincial Task Team we set up to deal with misconduct cases and precautionary suspensions within departments has reduced the number of cases from 104 to the current 46, and the value of precautionary suspensions from R11 109 241 to R5 486 938. During the 2012/13 financial year 1 492 misconduct cases were finalised by Provincial Departments, 80% of which within the prescribed 90 day period.”
“We must, however, register our concern at the slow pace towards the conclusion of many matters involving billions of Rands. As Provincial Government we have invested much financial and personnel resource to strengthen our capacity to detect underhand activities in our operations. In conjunction with law enforcement agencies such as the Hawks, the Specialised Investigation Unit, SAPS, the National Prosecution Authority and other similar agencies such as the Asset Forfeiture Unit, we would like to see more of these criminals sitting behind bars and the stolen loot being returned to the public purse.”
“I have written to Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs pointing out the shortage of prosecutors. In further engagement with the judiciary in this Province, it is clear that in relation to the population, KwaZulu-Natal has a very low number of judges compared particularly with Gauteng and the Western Cape.”
“For a population of 10 267 300, we have only 27 judges. Gauteng has 79 judges for 12 272 263 people, while the Western Cape has 34 judges for 5 822 273 people. Looked in terms of these statistics, it is obvious that there will still be a need for more prosecutors. As per our Cabinet resolution, I shall again take the matter up with the Minister of Justice, or if need be the President, to find a solution.”
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya, Spokesperson for the Premier
Cell: 082 375 4742
Regi Khumalo
Media Liaison Desk for the Premier
Cell: 079 751 6108
